A nurse has difficulty palpating the pedal pulse of a client with venous insufficiency. What action should the nurse take next?
ExplanationD. Clients with venous insufficiency often have edema, which may make palpation of an arterial pulse difficult. A Doppler uses sound waves so that the pulse can be heard.
A. The quality of the pedal pulse, not the rate, is assessed to determine the adequacy of peripheral arterial circulation; the most distal site is preferred.
B. The nurse must make other assessments of circulation before notifying the health care provider.
C. Lowering the legs will increase edema and make palpation of pulses more difficult.
